Allow me to introduce you...

One of the most exciting parts of this yoga journey is the people I meet along the way--yogis of all shapes and sizes, with different backgrounds and beliefs--some who spend time on their mat and some whose yoga happens elsewhere--in the community, in their art, in their families, through service, through surviving and thriving.

Every journey is different, that's for sure, but sometimes we forget how similar we are and how much we have in common. We all work our butts off to look and feel like we've got it figured out and under control, and we all fear exposing what may be our most shared, relatable, human traits--the scared and anxious parts of us, the parts that are afraid of failure and rejection, even the parts that feel really proud but don't want to shine too brightly!

Here's a space to get to know someone new, reach out, connect, be inspired. If you'd like to introduce yourself and tell your story, contact me! It's scary as hell to put it out there--trust me, I know! If there's a story inside of you that wants to be told, but there's also a voice in your head telling you that your story's too small or too weird or not important enough, just go ahead and tell that voice to pipe down and thensend me a note!Embrace the fear! Join a community of people who are not content with anything less than being fully, bravely alive.

We’ve probably all heard talk about “being present” and “being in the moment.” As cliché as it may sound, this thought/advice has really been hitting home for me lately. Many times throughout the day I catch myself thinking “if/when this [one thing/situation/person] happens/is over/does this, then…]” and I realize that I’m living a lot of my life in the future. And that can be a major source of anxiety. Over the past two weeks, especially, the fact that this is it, this is my life, this is all there is, has become a reality. I don’t want to continue to live my life in the future. I don’t want to miss anything now. Though sometimes it feels better to check out of the present and dream about how things could be. I’ve found it helpful to remind myself to learn the lessons that are here for me now and that there is no place to go. Relationships are about knowing and loving another person, and not so much about a destination, label or status. I also notice I tend to think in an “if, then” way when it comes to my career. I am in the process of applying to graduate school and often wonder what it will be like to be a Nurse Practitioner and all the responsibilities that will come with that. This kind of thinking also creeps up when I think about the weather (and wanting Spring to be here), being excited for my puppy to get bigger and the things we can do, and on and on.

So for me, the question becomes, how do you find the balance between setting and working towards goals, yet staying grounded in the present?

The best tools I have found to stay grounded are my yoga practice, journaling, and taking time to notice my breath and heartbeat.

Meet the Author! You'll just love her!Name: FaithAge: Newly 29Email/Contact: faithjwallner@gmail.comDay Job: Psych NurseDream Job: Psych NurseIf I Had a Million Dollars: I would travelWhat I Want: Contentment, peace, loveWhat Holds Me Back: Fear of failingWhat I'd Like to Let Go: Fear of failing, self-criticismWhat I'd Like to Keep: My family, friends, puppy, yoga practice, job, houseGod Is: LovePrayer Is: MeditationWhat is Sacred: Life, time, loveTeacher: ExperienceQuote of the Day: For the two of us, home isn’t a place, it is a person and we’re finally home.Current Book Obsession: Me Before You by JoJo Moyes